



United States Patent ice MET HGD AND COMPGSITION FOR CONDI- TIONING CUT FLOWERS John R. Cloptou, Boulder, Colo.

No Drawing. Application December 27, 1955, Serial No. 555,234

28 Claims c1; 71- -24 This invention relates to the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches and other portions of plants and refers more particularly to a method and composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants.

When flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants are cut from the plants, they rapidly lose their fresh appearance and soon wilt and die. The short period during which cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants, particularly cut flowers, retain their fresh appearance, is of particular concern from an economic standpoint to commercial flower growers and to florists. Because of their short life, cut flowers must be quickly shipped by the grower after cutting to the florist for sale to the consumer. Further, the shelf life of the flowers in the hands of the florist is short. Accordingly, it becomes difficult or impossible for the grower and florist to retain cut flowers for more than a few days before they must be sold to the consumer or lose their sale value. The time before which cut flowers and other portions of plants begin to wilt and die may be extended by keeping them under refrigeration or by placing their stems in water or by both. It has been proposed to achieve a further extension by conditioning the cut flowers and other portions of plants by adding various preservatives or preservative compositions to the water in which their stems are placed. However, while preservatives and preservative compositions extend the life of the cut flowers Further, the phenol may be substituted, i. e., the benzene ring may contain another group or othergroups in addition to the hydroxyl group; '7 Among thernonohydric phenols that may be employed in the composition are hy droxybenzene, hydroxyquinoline, ortho nitrophenol, para 0 nitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, 2,6-dinitroph'errol, ortho and other portions of plants, the preservatives and preservative compositions heretofore employed have left much to be desired from the standpoint of the time during which the flowers have remained fresh. Further, conditioning of cut flowers and other portions of plants with these preservatives and preservative compositions has left much to be desired from the standpoint of dyeing cut flowers and other portions of plants. h

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and composition for conditioning cut flowers, leaves, branches,

and other portions of plants. It is another object of this invention to extend the life of cut flowers and'other portions of plants. It is another object of this invention to dye cut flowers and other portions of plants. It is another object of this invention to improve the appearance of cut flowers and other portions of plants. These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof. I

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a composition comprising a phenol, a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containingcornpounds and compounds capable of being catabolized b'y plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound and which are utilizable by cut flowers and other portions of plants as an energy source, and a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazines, amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds, which composition is added to water to form a solution thereof in which the stems of cut flowers and other portions of plants are immersed.

The phenol employed in the composition may be a aminophenol, para aminophenol, and meta amirioplienol: Among the dihydric phenols that may" be employed are catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, and orcin'ol. Among the trihydric phenols that may be employed are pyr'og'allo'l,

phloroglucinol, and gallic acid; Of the various phenols; 8-hydroxyquinoline, hydro'quinone, phloroglucinol, resor cinol, and hydroxybenzene are preferred in vie w of their superior effects. Generally, 8-hydroxyquinoline is to be preferred to hydroquinone, phloroglucinol, resorcinol, and hydroxybenzene. a

While the phenols, and their solutions in sufliciently high concentration, have antiseptic properties, they are ineffective as antiseptics in solutions of low concentration. As will be set forth hereinafter in greaterdetail, the amount of the phenol in the composition and the amount of the composition added to the waterfto 'r'nakeupj'the solution in which the stems of the cut flowers'are inimersed are low, and in the concentrations employed the phenol exhibits slight if any antiseptic effect. Thephenol accordingly does not function in the composition ars-an antiseptic but rather functions, as I have discovered, as a respiratory inhibitor, i. e, as an agen t to slow down the action of the respiratory enzymes of the plant.

The second ingredient of the composition, as stated, is a compound selected from the group consistinglof carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capableof being catabolized rby plant enzymes to a carbonylcontaining compoundand which, are utilizable by cut flowers and other portions. of plants as anenergy source. Cut flowers and other portions of plants utilize 'as a source of energy carbonyl-containing compounds such as glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone. The cut flowers and other portions of the plant contain enzymes which 'catabolize various compounds'to carbonyl-containing com-* pounds such as glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone. Among-the compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzyme's and which may be employed as the second ingredient of the composition are the monosaccharides such as glucose, mannose, galactose, fructose, and sorbose, the disaccharides such as sucrose, maltose, and lactose, monohydric alcohols such as ethanol, and polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol, mannitolf'arid sorbitol. The carbonyl-containing compounds which may be'employ'ed as the second ingredient of the composition are glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, and acetaldehyde. Where alcohols or glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, or acetaldehydeare employed, it is preferred to employ also a monosaccharide or disaccharide in admixture therewith. Of the various compounds that may be employed as the second ingredient, sucrose is preferred. i

The third ingredient of the composition is a compound selected from the group consisting ofhydrazinaamines, and quaternary ammonium compounds .1 These com,- pounds must also have antiseptic properties; the property of lowering the surface tension of water, and the ability to provide nitrogen utilizable as a.plant nutrient. The amines may be monoamines or diamines. Suitable monoamines' include methyl amine, ethyl amine, propyl amine, butyl amine, amylamine, etc. Suitabledia= mines include diamino methane, ethylene diamine, trimethylene diamine, putrescine, cadaverine, etc. The aminesmay also be polyamines such as triamino methane, propylene diamine, tetramethylene-tetramine, hexameth- Patented Sept. 3, 1957.

. 805,137 v 3 4 ylene-tetramine, etc. Of the quaternary ammonium comhydrogen or a carbon in the ring substituted by another pounds, any quaternary ammonium compound having group, such as: antiseptic properties, the property of lowering the surface tension of water, and the ability. to provide nitrogen utilizable as a plant nutrient may be employed in the 5 composition. The quaternary ammonium compounds X- Ra may be of diverse classes. The classes listed below are or typical: I R 1. Salts of polymethylenetetramines 2. Alkylammonium salts represented by the formula: i

N+ Ra where R is C12H'2s, R1, R2 or Rs is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or cycloalkyl group, and X- is a halide, sulphate, acetate, or other suitable anion.

8. Salts of sulfonamides, such as:

where at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is an alkyl group, the remainder of R1, R2, R3, and R4 are hydrogen or alkyl groups and X'- is a halogen, sulphate, acetate, or other suitable anion.

3. Alkylpyridinium salts represented by the formula: R Q/ R/N*X' \N=IIN' SOzNE2 I where R is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or cycloalkyl group and X- is a halide, sulfate, acetate, or other suitable anion.

Hydrazine may be employed in the composition in the form of a salt such as the sulfate, etc.

Of the compounds selected from the group consisting of' hydrazines, amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds, it is preferred to employ hydrazine sulfate, di-

4. Salts containing an ether linkage and represented by w isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammoth formula; 1 nium chloride, or di-isobutyl cresoxy ethoxy ethyl di- 7 methyl benzyl ammonium chloride.

The composition should contain the constituents in the r, following proportions by weight: (a) phenol5 to 1200 7 Z parts, (b) compound selected from the group consisting where R1 is an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or cycloalkyl group, of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds ca- Z may be a halogen or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or cyclo- 40 pable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a caralkyl group, R2, R3, and R4 may be hydrogen, a methyl bonyl-containing compound5,000 to 50,000 parts, and group, or a substituted methyl group, and n is a whole (0) compound selected from the group consisting of number. Particular compounds in this group are: hydrazines, amines, and quaternary ammonium comwhere R is hydrogen or an alkyl group and X- is a halogen, sulphate, acetate, or other suitable anion. 7 Various substituents may replace the hydrogens attached i to the carbons in the ring. Included in this class of 30 compounds are various pyridine-3-sulfonamides, nicotinamides, etc.

dieisobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl am- I pounds10 to 900 parts. Preferably, the composition monium chloride, monohydrate, and

should contain the constituents in the proportions by H: CH3 CH3 ci iav euro-om-+- o-cm-cnm-ry-on= 01- .1110

OH; on, 7 CH5 di-isobutyl cresoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammoweight as follows: (a) phenol 25 to 500 parts, ([2) comnium chloride, monohydrate.

pound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl- 5, Salts containing an amide or ester linkage, such as: containing compounds and compounds capable of being 0 catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing l I compoundl5,000 to 25,000 parts, and (0) compound CHwH)" O (CH)" NHC CH2-lF selected from the group consisting of hydrazines, amines,

' X- and quaternary ammonium compounds 10 to 400 parts.

6. Salts containing an unsaturated long chain alkyl Wlthm these f i19wever-thepartlculahproportion group, Such as: of each constituent giving the best results w ll vary depending upon the particular specific constituents employed. V V CHa(CH2)1-GH=cH(oH1)s1 iR= Where a hydrazine or amine is employed, improved results are obtained by employing along with the hydrazine or amine a nonionic or anionic surface active agent. 7 These surface active agents are compounds that may be 1' y l l yl g p, and X- is a halide, sulphate, acetate, represented as consisting of two .parts: one part made up or other suitable anion. r of a hydrocarbon chain that is oilsoluble and virtually 7. Salts containing an aromatic nucleus having the water insoluble and the other made up of a strongly water where R1, R2, or R3 is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl,

Thenofiionic sin'raee' active agents-are electrically n u in solution, i. e., they do'not ionize. The anionic surface active agents ionize in solution and the hydrocarbon portion of the molecule bears the negative charge. Nonionic surface active agents that may be employed include the aryl, alkyl, aralkyl, and alkar'yl ethers of eryoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene; Typical compounds include polyoxyetnylene ethei's of lauryl alcohol contain: ing between about 4 and 23 moles of ethylene oiiide and polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene glucose tetraoleat e. Mixed polyoxyethylene and polyoitypr'opylene ether s may also be employed. Other nonionic surface active, agents that may be employed include polyglycol esters, sorbitan sesquioleate, and propylene glycol monostearate. Anionic surface active agents that may be employed include the aryl sulfonic acids and the alkyl substituted aryl snlfonic acids. Typical compounds include alkyl benzene siilfonate's such as benzene sulfonate having oneof the hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring substituted by an alkyl chain containing from six to twelve carbon atoms, Other anionic surface active agents that may be employed include di-isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate. Where sulfonates are employed, it is preferred to employ in addition thereto an inorganic salt having a bufiering action to maintain a solution of the sulfonate on the acid side. Sodiurn sulfate has been found to be effective.

Where a nonionic or anionic surface active agent is employed, the amount thereof may be the same as given above for the hydrazines and amines. However, the par ticular amount of any surface active agent giving the best results will vary depending upon the specific surface active agent and the specific other constituents in the composition.

M It is not essential that only one phenol, only. one compound selected from the group consisting of carbonylcontaining compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, and only one compound selected from the group consisting of'hydrazines, amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds be employed in the composition. It is possible, and in some instances preferable, to employ in the composition two or more phenols, or two or more compounds selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl:- containing compound, or two or more compounds selected from the group consisting of hydrazines, amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds. For exam le, where glycerine is employed as a compound which is capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, it is preferred to employ another com pound of the same class, such as sucrose, in admixture with it. Further, for example, a mixture of hydrazine sulfate and di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, monohydrate, is particularly effective. Any combination of one or two or more specific compounds in each of the three classes of constituents may be employed in the composition, and where two or more specific compounds in any one of the three classes of constituents are employed, the combined weights of the two or more specific compounds in each class should be within the ranges given above for the relative proportions of each class.

Similarly, two or more nonionic or anionic surface active agents may be employed where such agents are employed along with a hydrazine or an amine. Nonionic or anionic surface active agents may be employed along with each, if desired. The combined weights of two or more surface active agents that may be employed should be within the range given above for the surface active agents.

The composition may be prepared as a dry powder by selection of such specific compounds in each of the three classes of constituents entering into the composition that v with each other only where th' monium chloride, monohydrate', is in the solid phase; Where the; composition is in the solid' phase, the solid can be added to the water in which thejs't'en'i's of the cutflowe'fs or other poi'tions' of plants are immersed How we, where the" campasaisnis in the solid phase,-the'so1id I tively' concentrated solution, and the relatively concen trated solution can be'addedf'to thewa'ter in whiclf'the' Stern's ofthe" cut fiowefs' or'othenpbftions of the plants are placed.- on the other'ha'nd, specific compounds-111 0H6 rms-re of the three classes of constitumsmaybe selected so' that the composition" is' in the liquid hase: Additionally, selection of specifi c nt oumn{titmie'or more of the three classeso'f 5o'rfstitu'entsniay 'be'inade suclithat the constituents" can" be a'intaine'din admixfiii'e po ition is in; solution. Foi example, where thespecific compounds selected from the group consisting of hyd'razines;amines,and quaternary ammonium salts is a low boiling compound such as methyl mine; the methylamirfe is Inof c'onvenientlymaintainedin admiittuie withthe' other" constituents of the com ost: tion by dissolving the methyl amine in Walter in'wli'ich the other constituents have been or will be dissolved. Where a"noni'onic" or anionicsurface active agent is employed along with a hydrazine or an amine, the specific agent or agents maybe selected in conjunction with the other specific constituents of the, compositionso that the mix ture is in the solid phase or in the liquid phase.

a The composition, it will be seen from the above, can be in the form of a solid or in the form of aliqnid. From the standpoint of reduction of bulk; ease of hanjdling, convenience in packaging, and economy in shipping, it

is preferred to make up the composition the form of a solid, such as a powder or a tablet. On the other hand, where the composition is in the form of a powder, there is danger that gravity segregation of the constituents may occur with the result that upon admixture of a portion of the composition with the water to which the stems of the cut flowers .or other portions of the plant are immersed, the watefjwill not contain the consti'tuentsof thecomposition inthe proper propfor'tions for effective condition ing of the cut flowers or ether, portionsi ar se plant. Where the composition is in the form'of'a liquid, whether snail aqueous solution or'b'therw'ise', segregation of the constituents either will notoc'cu'r or, as in the case of a suspension, can be easily corrected by simple shaking or stirring and, therefore, from this s'tandpoint', the composition in the form of a liquid is to be preferred to the composition in the form of a-powdered solid. I

The composition may contain other mate'fials which may be effective from the standpoint of conditioning cut flowers or otherwise desirable. For example, the comasties may contain magnesium sulfate: or mangfiriese sulfate or both. Where these latter compounds are em ployed", in a composition containingby' weight '5' to 1200 parts of phenol, 5,0001%. 50,000 parts 'o'f compound Se: lected from the group consisting ofcarbonyl-containing compoiinds and 'cbmponnas capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to acarbonyl cont aining compound, and 1Q to 900 parts of compoundselected-froni the groiip insisting arhydrazine's; amines, and quaternary ani moniu'rri compounds, the amount of magnesium sulfate may be between 400' and 1,000, but preferably 800, p aftsan'd the amount; of manganese sulfate may be be tween 200 and 800, but preferably 400, parts. A

' For the conditioning of cut flowers-leaves, branches or other portions of plants, the stems thereof are mer's'ed in water containing the composition comprising a phenol, a compounds'elecfedfrom the groupoonsis'ting of carbonyl-containirig compounds and compounds cap able erasing catabolized'byplant e'nz-ymes to afjcarbonyl containing compound titili-zabltfby' ciit flbwefs and other portions of plants as an energy source, and a compoundselected fromithegroup consisting of hydrazines, amines, andquaternary ammonium compounds. Generally, satisfactory resultsareobtained where the concentration of the composition in the solution is between about 0.5 and 5.0 percent by weight. However, higher and lower concentrations may be employed, if desired, In practice, itfis preferred to first dissolve the composition in water in the concentration desired and then immerse the stems of the cut flowers therein. After immersing the stems in the water containing the composition dissolved therein, the stems are thereafter maintained in the solution until the plant, tissue has absorbed some of the solution. The stems-may .then be placed in plain water. However, the cut ,flowers or otherportions of plants may be maintained in the, solution until they have served their purpose. and are-discarded oruntil they die.

The compositions given in the following table have been found to be-particularly effective. In the table, the constituents of each composition are given in the first column, the range of proportions of the constituents inparts by weight that have been found to be satisfactory a're 'given in the second column, and the preferred proportions of the constituents in parts by weight are given 1n the third column.

" Table Range of Pro- Preferred Constituents portions Proportions Hydroquinone 5150 1,000 50 Sucrose 5,000 to 50,000 20, 000 AH; Di-isobutylphenoxy eth ethyl 10 to 400 100 dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, monohydrate. Phloroglucinol 5 to 600 50 Sucrose 5,000 to 50,000-.- 20,000 B"... Di-is butyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl to 400 200 dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, monohydratc. Rhloroglucinol 5 to 1,200 200 C.-- Sucrose 5,000 to 50,000. 20,000 Hydrazine sulfate 10 to 500 200 RescrcinoL j. 5 to 1,000 200 D Sucrose 5,000 to 50,000- 20, 000 Hydrazine sulfate 10 to 500 200 Resorcinol 5 to 1,000 200 Sucrose 5,000 to 50,000 20, 000 E Hydrazine suliatc V 10 to 500..." 200 Di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl 10 to 400 200 dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, monohydrate. S-Hydrox'yquinoline sulfate- A 5 to 1,000 7 Sucrose 5,000 to 50,000 20, 000 Hydrazine sulfate 10 to 500... 200 F Benzene sulfonate having one of 10 to 500... 100 the hydrogen atoms on the ben- V zene ring substituted by an alltyl chain containing from six to twelve carbon atoms. Hydroxybenzene 5 to 1,200 200 Sucrose 5 000 to'50,000.- 20, 000 G Di-isobutyl phenoxy et-hoxy ethyl 400 200 dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, mouohydrate.

While the conditioning method and composition of the invention is of particular value from the standpoint of preserving cut flowers and other portions of plants, it is also of value from the standpoint of facilitating the penetration and absorption of dyes into the petals of cut flowers. Cut flowers are commonly dyed by immersing their stems in' solutions of various water soluble dyes whereby the dye is carried upward through the stem to the flower petals. As a result, the petals are enhanced in color or changedto another color. The various dyes diifer in chemical structure and in affinity for various portions of the plant tissue, which diiferences give rise to difierences in rate of uptake and distribution of the dyes within the flower tissues. For any given dye, however, the degree of dehydration of the cut flower or other portion of the plant and the humidity of the atmosphere surrounding the cut flower or other portion of the plant aflect the rate of uptake and distribution of the dye. l have foundthat a significantly better penetration and a more uniform distribution of dye are effected where the dye solution in-which the stems of the cut flowers areimmersed contains therein the composition comprising a phenol, a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonylcontaining compound, and a compound'selected from the group consisting of hydrazine, amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds.

In dyeing cut flowers in accordance with this aspect of the invention,'the appropriate amount of dye, which; may be between about one and eighty grams per gallon of water depending upon the particular dye and the extent of dyeing desired, as is well known in the art, is dissolved in water which may be heated, as, for ex ample, to about 180 F. After the dye is dissolved,-the solution is cooled, as, for example, to about 120 -F. and the composition comprising a phenol, a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, and a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine, amines, and quaternary am monium compounds is added to and dissolved in the dye solution. The amount of the composition to be employed is the same as given above, i. e., between about 0.5 and 5 percent by weight of the solution. If the solution has been heated, it is allowed to cool further and the flowers are placed with the cut ends of their stems immersed in the solution until the petals have attained a desiredltint, then removed and placed with the stems in water or preferably in water containing dissolved therein the composition of the invention.

.Any type of, the dye heretofore employed for dyeing cut flowers may be employed; These dyes may be, for example, acid dyes, basic dyes, substantive dyes, food dyes, or other types of water soluble dyes. Suitable dyes include Patent blue, Orange A, Orange I, Bright orange, Brilliant green, Victoria green, Ultramarine blue, Methylone blue 2B, Indigo-carrnin, Navy blue, Azure blue, Yellow SP, Nacco yellow, Neopolitan yellow, Congo red, Erie 413, Perfect red, Rhodamine S, Amaranth, Erythrosine, Light green SF, Naphthol yellow S, Orange I Tartrazine, and Ponceau 3R.

. The. examples following will be illustrative of the invention.

In each of the examples, the stems of a group of cut flowers were immersed and maintained in 600 cubic centimeters of water as a control or in 600 cubic centimeters of aqueous solution of the compositionof the invention. Unless otherwise indicated each group contained eight flowers. Each of the 600 cubic centimeters of water or aqueous solution were contained in a glass receptacle fitted at the mouth thereof with a water repellant collar to hold the stems in an upright position and keep them from contacting the glass of the mouth of the receptacle. The stem of each flower was cut to the same length, namely sixteen inches, and, in the case of carnations, the cuts were always between the nodes of the stem. The flowers were maintained at a temperature between and F., although no attempt was made to control the humidityof the atmosphere surrounding theflowers. The time in days during which each flower in the group remained alive was measured and the total number of flower days, i. e., the sum of the days each fiowerin each group remained alive, was noted. For the purpose of the examples, the flowers were considered to be no longer alive when the petals began to curl, or, in the case of roses, when the petals began to fall. The tables for each example give the number of groups oftflowers conditioned, the composition of the aqueous solution, the number of days during which each flower remained alive, and the total number of flower days for each group. In each table, the flowers in group I were conditioned with plain water as the control.

sserts '9 EXAMPLE 1 In this example, five groups of white carnations were conditioned. Groups 2 to were conditioned jwith aqueous solution containing phloroglucinol in different concentrations, sucrose, and di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, monohydrate.

Table Group No 1 2 3 4 5 Composition of Solution:

Phloroglucinol, p. p. m.... Sucrose, p. p. m 20,000 Di-isobutyl, etc., p. p. 111.. Number 01 Days Each Flower Lived:

1st Flower 7 13 13- 12 12 2nd Flower 7 13 13 '12 13 8 13 13 '12 14 8 13 13 I2 15 8 15 13 15 15 8 15 14- '16' 16 8 16 14 '16 16 8th Flower 8 17 15 17 17 Number of Flower Days 62 115 108 112 118 EXAMPLE 2 In this example, four "groups of pink carnations were conditioned. Groups 2 to 4 were conditioned with aqueous solution containing phlorogliicinol indifierent concentrations, sucrose, and hydrazine "sulfate indifferent concentrations.

Table Group No 1 2 3 4 Composition of Solution:

Phlorogluciuol, p. p. m 50 100 200 Sucrose, p. p. m.. 000 20, 000 1 20,000 Hydraziue sulfate, p. p. m 200 200 200 Number of Days Each Flower Lived:

1st Flower 6- 13= '12 15 2nd Flower-. 7 1'3 12 17 3rd Flower... '7. 13 12' 17 4th Flower 7 13 16 17 5th Flower *8 15 18 17 0th Flower 8 15 '20 18 7th Flower.-. 8 17 20 18 8th Flower 9 18 21 Number of Flower Days 60 117 140 EXAMPLE 3 In this example, five groups of white carnations were conditioned. Groups 2 to 5 were conditioned with Table Group No 1 2 3 4 5 Composition of Solution:

Resorcinol, p. p. m 25- Sucrose, p. p. In 20, 000 20, 000 Di-lsobutyl, etc., p. p. m 200' a 200 Number of Days Each Flower Lived:

o 11 11 13 s 12.. 13 6 12 12 14 6 13- 14 14 7 13 15 15 7 14 11 10 7 15- 17 17 8th Flower 8 17 7 19 1 8 Number of Flower Days. 53 107 1 17' 1 21 128 EXAMPLE 4 V.

tioned, the second group being conditioned with aqueous solution containing phloro gf'liicinol sucrose, and hydrazine sulfate.

Table Group No 1 2 Composition of Solutlonz.

Phlor'ogliiinol, pp; in -L r 200 Sucrose, p. p. m 20, 000 Hydrazine sulfate, p. p. m. 200

Number of Flower Days. 17 5 0 EXAMPLES In this example;'fo"ur groups of white 'carnatio'n's were conditioned. Groups '2to' 4 were conditionedwith aqueous solution containing liydroquinone in different concentrations, sucrose, and'didsobutyl'phenoxy. ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, monohydrate.

Table Composition of Solution:

Hydroquinone, p. p. m 25 50 75 Sucrose, p. p. m 20.000- 20,000 20,000 Di-isobutyl, etc., p. p. m... 250 2 v 250 Number ofDays Each Flower Liv d: v

1st Flower 6 11 1'1, 9 2nd Flower- 6 14 13 12 3rd F1ower.. 6 14 14 13 4th Flower.. 6 15- 14 13 5th Flowerz. 6 15- 16 15 6th Flower 6 15 16 15 7th Fl0wer.. '6 16 17 17 8th Flower. 6 18 1 18 17 Number of FlowerDays 48 118 119 111 EXAMPLE 6 In this example, five gr'oups oijwhite carnations were conditioned, the flowers in groups 2 to 4 being conditioned Nnmberfdf Flower Eays EXAMPLE 7 111111115 example, five groups of pink carnations were i' nbi i i r f a ersm nned.w m qu o s ,,solution containing re'sorcinol in different concentrations,

sucrose, and hydrazine sulfate.

Group No Composition of Solution:

Resorcinol, p. p. m Sucrose, p. p. m Hydrazine Sulfate, p. p. m1

Number of Days Each Flower Lived:

1st Flower 2nd Flower. 3rd Flower. 4th Flower- 1 5th Flower- 8th Flower Number of Flower Days EXAMPLE s In this example, three groups of red carnations were conditioned, groups 2 and 3 being conditioned with aqueous solution containing resorcinol in different concentrations, sucrose, and hydrazine sulfate.

EXAMPLE 9 In this example, two groups each of eight different -12 EXAMPLE .10

'In this example, two groups of white carnations were conditioned, the second group being conditioned with aqueous solution containing 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, sucrose, and hydrazine sulfate.

Table Group No Composition of Solution:

S-Hydroxyquinollne sulfate p. p. m Sucrose, p. p. m Hydrazine sulfate,

Number of Days Each Flower Lived:

1st Flower 2nd Flows a znomoomumm Number of Flower Days EXAMPLE 1 1 i .In this example, two groups of pink roses were conditioned, the second group being conditioned with aqueous solution containing S-hydroxyqninoline sulfate, sucrose, and hydrazine sulfate.

Table Group No Composition of Solution:

S-Hydroxyqulnoline sulfate, p. p. m Sucrose, p; p. m Hydrazine sulfate, p. p. In

Number otFlower Days varietles'of Carnations were cond1t1oned,rthe second group 1 of each of the eight different varieties being conditioned EXAMPLE 12 with aqueous solution containing 200 p. p. m. resorcinol, a i 1 20,000 p. p. m. of sucrose, 200 p. p. m. of di-lsobutyl In this example, two groups of six pink roses each phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlo- 55 were conditioned, the second group being conditioned ride, monohydrate, and 200 p. p. m. of hydrazine suliate, with aqueous solution containing 8-hydroxyquiuoline sul- Table Variety White Sims Red Sims Pink Sims WeiI'iOhS Miller'8 Phyllis G. Apollo Scarlet King Peppermint Yellow 1 1 GroupNo 1 2 1 2 1j 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 No. of Days, Each Flower Lived:

1stF1ower o 17 5 15 e 15 7 1a 7 1o 6 15 5 9 7 16 2nd Flower o 18 6 16 6 1s 7 l6 7 18 7 15 5 13 9 18 3rd Flower s 18 7 17 7 19 7 16 s 19 7 16 6 14 9 19 4th Flowen. 7 18 7 l8 7 19 7 1o 8 19 7 1o 6 14 1o 20 7 1s 7 1s 7 19 7 17 8 19 7 17 6 15 10 20 7 1s 7 19 7 20 7 17 s 19 7 17 o 16 10 21 7 19 7 19 7 21 7 1s 9 1o 7 17 6 17 11 21 8th Flower -1 9 v 19 8 20' s 22 s is e 20 s 13 7 1s 11 21 N0.ofFlower Da s. 55' 54 142 55 15s 57 134 N64 143 56 131 47 116 77 166 fate, glucose, hydrazine .sulfate,tand ,benzene sulfonate having one of the hydrogenatoms on the benzene ring substituted by 'alkyl chains having six to twelve carbon atoms.

Table Group No 1 -2 Composition of Solution:

B-Hydroxyquinoline sulfate, p. p. m 70 Glucose, p. p. m 20, 000 Hydrazine sulfate, 'p. p. m 200 Benzene sulionate, eta, p. p.-m 100 Number of Days EaehFlowerLived:

1st Flower .t 4 8 2nd Flower 5 9 BrdfFloWer 5 10 .4th Flower 5 11 5th Flower 6 12 6th Flower--- 6 13 Number of Flower Days Q 31 63 r f EXAMPLE 13 In this example, two groups of six white carnations each were conditioned, the second group'being conditioned with aqueous solution containing '8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, sucrose, hydrazine sulfate, and a mixed polyoxyethylene and polypropylene alkyl ether sold commerciallyas Pluronic'F68.

Table Group No.r ,7 t a 2 7 Composition of Solution: I p V 8-Hydroxyquino1ine sulfate, p. p. m 7o Sucrose, p. p. m 20,000 Hydrazine sulfate p. p. m 200 Mixed ether, p. p. m 100 Number of Days Each Flower Lived:

1st Flower 6 15 2nd Flower 7 15 3rd F1ower-. 7 16 4th Flower 7 I6 5th Flower: 8 18 6th Flower 8 19 Number of Flower Days 43 a 99 EXAMPLE 14 In this example, two groups of white carnationswere d'y'ed. The carnations of the first group were dyed by immersing their stems in an aqueous solution-containing 3,000 p. p. m. of Patent blue while the carnations of the second group were dyed by immersing their stems in an aqueous solution containing 5.0 p. p. m. of hydroquinone, 20,000 p. 'p. m. of sucrose, 100' p. p. m. of diisobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, monohydra-te, and 3,000.1). p. m. of Patent blue. Both groups of flowers were permitted to remain in the respective solutions for a period of twelve hours.

The carnations whose stems were immersed in the aqueous solution containing only the Patent blue did not take the dye uniformly. The petals at the periphery of the bloom contained large accumulations of the dye at their outer edges with little or not dye accumulating in the petals inwardly from the outer edges. Additionally, the petals at the center portion of the bloom were devoid of dye. On the other hand, with the second group of carnations the dye settled more uniformly with respect to the entire surface of the petals and settled more uniformly with respect to the petals at the periphery of the bloom and at the center portion of the bloom. Further, the blooms in the second group remained alive for a number of flower days equal to three and one-half times the number of flower days for the first group.

Having thus described my invention, it will be understood that such description has been given by way of illustration and example and not by way of limitation, reference for the latter purpose being hadto the appended claims.

3 7 14 a QTh'is applicationlis ,a continuation-impart of iny copending application, Serial Number 375,28'6, filed 'August 19, 1953 (now abandoned).

I claim:

'1. A composition-for :the "conditioning of cut flowers, leaves,branches, and other portions of plants comprising a phenol, a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, and a cohipduridselected from the group consisting of hydrazines, amines, and quarternaryammonium compounds.

"2. A composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plant's compris ing '5 to 1,200 parts by weight of a phenol, 5,000 to 50,000parts by weightof a compound selected fromtlie group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymesto a carbonyl-containing compound, and 10 to 900 parts by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazines,-'amines, and quaternary 'am- ,monium compounds. I V

t 3. Thecompos'ition of claim -2 wherein the phenol is hydroquinone. a

4. The composition of claim 2 wherein the phenol is lphloroglucinol.

s. The composition a claim 2 wherein the phenol is .resorcinol.

6. The composition of claim 2 wherein. the phenol is hydroxyquinoline. 7. The composition of claim 2 wherein the phenol is hydroxybenzene.

8. The compositionof claim2 wherein the compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-contain- 40 selected fromthe'group consisting of hydra'zines, amines,

and quaternary ammonium compounds is hydrazine snlfate.

10. The composition of claim 2 wherein the compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazines', amines,

and quaternary ammonium compounds is diisobjutyl phenoxy e'thoxy ethyl dimethyl ben'zyl ammonium chloride, monohydrate.

11. The composition of claim 2 wherein the compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine, amines, and. quaternary ammonium compounds is di-isobutyl cresoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, in'onohyd'ra'te.

12. A c'omposi-tion for the conditioning of cut flower leaves, branches, "and other portions of plants comprising 5 to 1,200 parts by weight 'of aphe'nol, 5,000 to 50,000 parts by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, and 10 to 900 parts by weight of a hydrazine,

13. A composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves. branches, and other portions of plants comprising 5 to 1,200 parts by weight of a phenol, 5,000 to 50,- 000 parts by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, and 10 to 900 parts by weight of an amine.

14. A composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants comprising 5 to 1,200 parts by weight of a phenol, 5,000 to 50,- 000 parts by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, 10 to 900 parts by weight of a hydrazine, and .a compound selected from the group consisting of the nonionic and anionic surface active agents. I q i 15. The composition of claim 14 wherein. the compound seiected from the group consisting of the nonionic and anionic surface agents is benzene sulfo'nate having one of the hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring substituted by an alkyl chain containing from six to twelve carbon atoms. p 7 16. A composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants comprising .25 to 500 parts by weight of a phenol, 15,000 to 25,- 000 parts by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, and 10 to 400 parts by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazines, amines, and quaternary 000 parts by weight of sucrose, and to to 400 parts by weight of di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzylamrnonum chloride, monohydrate. V

19. A composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants comprising to 1,200 parts by weight of phloroglucinol, 5,000. to

50,000 parts by weight of sucrose, and 10 to 500 parts by weight of hydrazine sulfate.

20. A composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants comprising 5 to 1,000 parts by weight of resorcinol, ,5,000.to 50,000 parts by weight of sucrose, and 10 to 500 parts by weight of hydrazine sulfate.

.21. A composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants comprising 5 to 1,000 parts by weight of resorcinol, 5,000 to 50,000 parts by weight of sucrose,. 10 to 500 parts by weight of hydrazine sulfate, and 10 to 400 parts by weight of diisobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, monohydrate.

22. A composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants comprising 5 to 1,000 parts by weight of resorcinol, 5,000 to 50,000 parts by weight of sucrose, and 10 to 400 parts by weight of di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyi ammonium chloride, monohydrate.

23. A method for the conditioning ofcut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants comprising immersing the cut stems thereof in. an aqueous solution containing a phenol, a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazines,-amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds, and a water soluble dye.

24. A composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants comprising 5 to 1,200 .parts by weight of 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, 5,000 to 50,000 parts by weight of sucrose, 10 to 900 parts by weight of hydrazine sulfate, and 1 0 to 900 parts by weight of benzene sulfonate having one of the hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring substituted by an alkyl chain containing from six to twelve carbon atoms.-

25. A composition for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants comprising a phenol, a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonylcontaining compound, a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazines, amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds, and a water soluble dye.

26. A method for the conditioning of cut flowers, leaves, branches, and other portions of plants, comprising immersing the cut stems thereof in an aqueous solution containing a phenol, a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonyl-containing compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, and a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazines, amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the phenol, the compound selected from the group consisting of carbonylcontaining compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonyl-containing compound, and'the compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazines, amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds are in the ratio to each other in parts by weight of 5 to 1,200, 5,000 to 50,000 and 10 to 900, respectively.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the phenol, the compound selected from the group consisting of carbonylcontaining compounds and compounds capable of being catabolized by plant enzymes to a carbonylcontaining compound, and the compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazines, amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds are in the ratio to each other in parts by weightof '25 to 500, 15,000 to 25,000 and 10 to 400, respectively.

No references cited. 

1. A COMPOSITION FOR THE CONDITIONING OF CUT FLOWERS, LEAVES, BRANCHES, AND OTHER PORTIONS OF PLANTS COMPRISING A PHENOL, A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF CARBONYL-CONTAINING COMPOUNDS AND COMPOUNDS CAPABLE OF BEING CATABOLIZED BY PLANT ENZYMES TO A CARBONYL-CONTAINING COMPOUND, AND A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HYDRAZINES, AMINES, AND QUARTERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS. 